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Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Nursing (RN to BSN), BSN

  • Academics
  • Undergraduate Studies
  • College of Nursing
  • Nursing (RN to BSN), BSN

RN to BSN Program Highlights

Take your experience to the next level with a RN to BSN degree.

You already have experience in your career as a nurse, so we made it easy to build on your existing knowledge to obtain your RN to BSN baccalaureate degree.

RN to BSN program requirements include the following:

  • An unencumbered license as a registered nurse (RN) in the United States (US), District of Columbia or US territories, or
  • An unencumbered license as a RN in Canada*, or
  • An active ADN student in a nursing program affiliated with Baker College.

*Canadian RNs must complete the practicum experiences of this program under the supervision of a baccalaureate nurse licensed in Canada. Successful completion of the Baker College Nursing (RN to BSN) program does not qualify Canadian graduates to take the US NCLEX-RN examination.

At a glance
120

Credit Hours

View Full Curriculum

Learn Your Way

RN to BSN classes are taught exclusively through Baker Online. Plus, general education and prerequisite courses are typically available through Baker Online, Online Live, and on all campuses throughout Michigan.

Learn More
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RN to BSN Curriculum

The Baker College online RN to BSN program consists of 120 credit hours (30 approved credits for RN licensure, 60 credits for a completed associate degree in nursing, and 30 hours for the nursing major). 

View Full Curriculum

Sample Courses

Evidence Based Practice for the BSN

Description
Explores various nursing theorists and provides an overview of evidence-based practice with an emphasis on improved quality of care. Examines the role of research in the application of the nursing process and its contribution to the development of nursing as a science. The student will be challenged to critically evaluate research and how it applies to the nursing profession and explore ethical issues inherent in the research process.
3 hours

Community Health Nursing

Description
Examines the core functions and current organization of community health nursing as part of the larger healthcare system. Concentration is placed on achievement of optimal health outcomes for target populations and selected vulnerable subgroups within the community. The role of nursing will be examined in relation to public policy and emergency response and management.
3 hours

Nursing Leadership and Management

Description
Emphasizes further development of the professional nurse role by exploring contemporary trends in leadership and management of human and financial resources. Focus is on the importance of communication in the development of effective management and leadership skills. Personal leadership styles and values will be identified and students will enhance leadership competencies by examining self in relation to professional standards, the nursing code of ethics and leadership theories and models.
3 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes—the RN to BSN program is delivered 100% online through Baker’s dedicated online platform. Coursework is organized into eight-week terms and six-week terms in the summer, allowing you to focus on one or two RN to BSN classes at a time without needing to come to campus. You’ll complete interactive online lectures, discussion boards, and assignments at your own pace, backed by virtual tutoring, academic advising, and technical support to ensure you stay on track from anywhere.

Yes, you can transfer up to 60 credit hours from your accredited ADN, plus 30 credit hours of general education equivalencies into the RN to BSN degree program. Once your official transcripts are evaluated, any additional nursing- or health-related credits approved may further reduce your remaining coursework. 

To get started, submit your transcripts early and work with your academic advisor to map out your personalized RN to BSN degree plan.

Most RNs complete the RN to BSN degree in 12–18 months. Degree completion time depends on how many transfer credits you have and your term course load. 

The RN to BSN is structured in eight-week terms, so you can take one or two courses at a time and adjust your pace around work and personal commitments. 

With up to 60 credits from your ADN applied and an additional 30 credits of general education fulfilled through transfer, you’ll focus primarily on the 30 nursing major credits, which cover leadership, community health, research, and informatics. You can often finish in as little as a year or extend it to 18 months if you prefer a lighter course load.

No new clinical rotations are required. Rather than traditional onsite clinical rotations, RN to BSN students demonstrate their practice competencies through a structured portfolio and a capstone project. 

Your portfolio will include documentation of population-focused care activities, leadership or quality-improvement experiences, and reflective case studies.

The capstone project typically involves identifying a clinical or systems-based problem, designing and implementing a small pilot intervention, and evaluating its outcomes under the guidance of a faculty mentor. 

Together, these nursing degree requirements ensure you apply theoretical knowledge to real-world practice, showcase your professional growth, and meet the BSN competencies without additional facility-based hours.

Yes—an unencumbered RN license in the U.S. or Canada is required to enroll in the RN to BSN program.

Before your first term, you’ll submit license verification as part of the admissions process. You must maintain that license in good standing throughout the program.

This requirement ensures you can complete your portfolio and capstone experiences in a clinical setting. If your license expires or is restricted, you’ll need to resolve those issues with the licensing board before progressing in your nursing courses.

Absolutely—the RN to BSN curriculum is delivered in asynchronous eight-week terms, so you choose when to complete lectures, readings, and assignments around your shift schedule. 

Baker Online offers 24/7 technical support and virtual tutoring to help you stay on track. Your dedicated academic advisor will also work with you to balance course loads to fit your professional and personal commitments. This flexible structure ensures you maintain your income and clinical skills while advancing your nursing education.

We  prioritize meaningful connections in our online RN to BSN program by organizing you into small virtual cohorts of up to 20 peers, so that faculty get to know you personally and can tailor support. 

Our learning platform also features discussion boards and group project spaces, encouraging peer collaboration on assignments and evidence-based practice scenarios. 

Nursing faculty maintain regular virtual office hours, and you can schedule one-on-one video conferences or phone calls for additional guidance. These structured touchpoints, combined with prompt feedback on papers and presentations, ensure you stay connected to your instructors and classmates throughout your BSN journey.

BSN-prepared RNs open the door to a wider array of advanced roles and leadership opportunities within healthcare. By deepening your clinical knowledge and leadership skills, you become a stronger candidate for positions that influence patient outcomes, care delivery processes, and team performance. 

Many employers now list a BSN degree as the minimum requirement for promotions, so earning your degree can help accelerate your nursing career trajectory. Common pathways include:

  • Charge Nurse or Unit Coordinator – Oversee daily operations on nursing units, mentor staff, and ensure quality patient care
  • Case Manager or Care Coordinator – Manage complex patient care plans across multiple settings, working closely with interdisciplinary teams
  • Clinical Nurse Educator – Develop and deliver training programs for new nurses and support ongoing staff development
  • Quality Improvement Specialist – Lead initiatives to enhance safety, reduce readmissions, and streamline clinical workflows
  • Nurse Administrator or Supervisor – Take on managerial responsibilities such as staffing, budgeting, and policy implementation

Each of these roles not only comes with increased responsibility and autonomy but often offers commensurate salary growth and a clearer path into senior management and nurse executive positions.

Program Handbook

The handbook for this program is available in the latest edition of the Catalog/Student Handbook.

View Program Handbook
This page was last revised on June 4, 2025.
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On Campus Unavailable

Core courses for this degree program are not offered on campus.

For those interested, a selection of general education and prerequisite courses are available on campus each semester.

View campus locations

Available on Baker Online

Courses for this degree program are available through Baker Online.

100% online, this format offers flexible scheduling with 8-week semesters

Baker Online

Unavailable on Online Live

Core courses for this degree program are not offered through Online Live.

For those interested, a selection of general education and prerequisite courses are available through Online Live each semester.

Online Live
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